Micah P.

1. What inspired you to apply for this Peace Corps position?

I was working in the insurance industry due to financial obligations, but I had no passion for it. So I asked myself what I should do with my life. After a lot of soul searching and wondering how to bring peace and positivity to the world, the answer finally came to me one day: the Peace Corps. I hadn’t thought about the Peace Corps for many years, hadn’t seen an ad for it recently, and honestly, thought I wasn’t even eligible because I had been in the military. (This is a misconception.) When I started doing research on the Peace Corps, it felt like the right fit for me at that moment. I come from a long line of family members that served in the military. I am proud of my service, and the Peace Corps gave me the opportunity to once again serve my country.

2. Tell us about a moment that sticks with you from the first week at your site.

The first day I arrived at a small Armenian village with other Volunteers to meet and live with our host families during pre-service training was memorable. The community was very welcoming. Children were dressed in traditional Armenian clothing and presented a traditional dance. They served us some traditional Armenian bread, lavash with salt, to symbolize their hospitality as they welcomed new guests to the village.

3. What is your main job?

I teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) at a university in Armenia to students majoring in English. My specific task is to improve their speaking fluency in English so they can converse easily with any English native speaker in the world, no matter what country that English speaker may be from. I’m currently applying for a Peace Corps grant to refurbish a classroom for the English department at the university, which does not have a classroom or resource center of their own for their students and instructors to learn, teach, and improve their English. The classroom will be furnished with modern technology such as a smartboard to align with what’s commonly provided at other western universities.

4. What strategies have you used to integrate into your community?

After the required homestay during pre-service training and at my permanent site for the first six months I decided to move into an apartment and live on my own. I have been a very independent person from early on. I started doing my own laundry at 9 years old. I prefer to take care of myself, cook my own food, etc. I felt that living on my own would be the best way for me to integrate into the community as I do all my own shopping for groceries at local shops, markets, and stores in the city. I have a landlord that I communicate with regularly to pay my rent and I pay all my utilities directly to the city. I attend local events such as community fairs and farmers’ markets that the city has from time to time. I have a membership at the local gym, where I exercise 4 times a week. I’ve made myself known out in the community, and as one of the few Americans living in the city I stick out like a sore thumb.

5. What’s a typical day like for you?

On a typical workday, I get up in the morning, make myself breakfast and coffee, and then get ready for the day. Depending on my schedule for the week I may head to the university to teach classes and then afterwards head to the gym to work out or vice versa. The university is on a two-week block schedule and is open from Tuesday to Saturday. So, my schedule is a little different than a TEFL Volunteer working in grade schools or secondary schools. After I’m done with classes and the gym I may hang out with the other Peace Corps Volunteers who also live in the city,

6. What is a highlight of your time in service so far?

Meeting and becoming friends with other Volunteers. I’m in my early forties and have over 25 years of work experience in various industries, have more life experience than many people twice my age, have traveled in around 20 countries, and interacted with various cultures. Most of my fellow Volunteers are in their early twenties and fresh out of college. After leaving my career in the insurance industry I went back to school to follow my passion to become a middle and high school teacher post-Covid. It was eye opening to see how youth were affected by the pandemic and I worried about the future of our country. Meeting and becoming friends with other Peace Corps Volunteers here in Armenia quieted my worries. They have a zest for making their mark in the world, a passion for education, and want to create a more meaningful life for themselves at the start of their careers. It has been refreshing to be around them, and I now know the future of our country is in good hands.

7. What have you enjoyed most about the community where you are serving?

The beautiful nature surrounding the city. Most of the year it is so lush and green. There is a botanical garden in the area and we are surrounded by mountains; it’s very beautiful. I enjoy taking walks around the city for the views. I also run and exercise outside, which is not common in Armenia. Any person running outside gets plenty of weird looks. But I don’t mind at all, it’s one of many ways to model an active lifestyle.

8. What are some of the most important things you’ve learned from your community?

Patience and understanding are the most important things I have learned. Each culture has their own way of doing things. You have to adapt and be fluid in any situation. Also, communication is key to navigating and appreciating the differences between them.

9. How do you spend time when not working on a project?

I enjoy reading books from my Kindle app. I can borrow e-books from my local library at home. I also watch TV and movies online to pass the time. I enjoy working out at the gym, running outside, and practicing yoga. I hang out and travel to visit fellow Volunteers across the country. We like to meet up and go hiking at new places such as mountain areas.

10. Tell us about the strongest relationship you’ve developed while in country.

In addition to the other Peace Corps Volunteers at my site my strongest relationship is with my counterpart. At first, there were communication challenges due to cultural differences but after working together on our grant project, and much day-to-day communication, we have each been able to bring our different professional background perspectives to our collaboration.

11. What are you looking forward to in your remaining time as a Volunteer?

The journey and experiences to come. I’m looking forward to the summer, the beautiful weather, and ongoing personal growth. After completing service and I want to go back home to show my community how I’ve grown during my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

12. Tell us your favorite phrase in the local language.

"Vochinch" (ոչինչ). It is usually used as a response to a question or situation. Kind of similar to saying “No worries,” “All good,” or “No prob.”

13. What will you do differently when you return to the U.S.?

Become more involved in serving my community directly. I now know that I must work directly with people to spread my light and positivity. Bring back peace to America.

14. What would you say to someone thinking about joining the Peace Corps?

I wrote a short article last Veterans Day to get the word out to fellow veterans about joining. Here is the link to my article: This Veterans Day as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

To anyone thinking about joining I would say: if you want to go out into the world, have new experiences, grow as a person, make a difference in the world, show the world that Americans are not the stereotypical things you see and read about in movies and TV—that we are a very peaceful and caring people who want to make the world a better place—then the Peace Corps is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your life.

Learn more about serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia.